WO2023000992A1

WO2023000992A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2023000992A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/104414
Authority: WO
Inventors: 王毅; 张�浩; 吕鹏; 赵晓军
Original assignee: 合肥海尔电冰箱有限公司; 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司; 海尔智家股份有限公司
Priority date: 2021-07-23
Filing date: 2022-07-07
Publication date: 2023-01-26
Also published as: CN115682532B; AU2022315366A1; CN115682532A; EP4375596A1

Abstract

A refrigerator, which is provided with a beverage making module, the beverage making module comprising a material storage part, an ice water part, a sparkling water part and an output part, wherein the material storage part is used for the placement of raw materials for making different flavors of beverages; the ice water part is used for supplying ice water; the sparkling water part is used for acquiring the ice water from the ice water part, and making sparkling water on the basis of the ice water; and the output part is connected to the ice water part and/or the sparkling water part, and is used for controlling the sparkling water or the ice water to flow through the material storage part to output the different flavors of beverages. The material storage part of the beverage making module supplies different flavors of raw materials according to specific needs of a user, and the ice water part and the sparkling water part supply two types of water and are in cooperation with the control of an output part; therefore, different flavors of beverages can be made by means of combination, thereby meeting the demand of the user for different types of beverages. The beverage making method of the refrigerator is simple, and thus the user experience is better.

Description

a refrigerator

technical field

The invention relates to the field of refrigeration equipment, in particular to a refrigerator.

Background technique

With the user's pursuit of quality of life, the pursuit of different types of frozen drinks is quite strong. The current situation is that users can only make cold drinks in the refrigerator or at room temperature. A better way is to make cold drinks in the refrigerator in advance, and then use the bubble machine to make bubbles into the cold drinks to meet the needs of different types of drinks. demand. This method of making cold drinks is cumbersome, and users need to purchase an air bubble machine separately. The water bottle of the bubble machine is placed in the refrigerator in advance, and the refrigerator does not have a special reserved space, and the random placement makes the user feel that the experience is not good.

Contents of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that solves at least some of the technical problems of preparing different kinds of cold drinks.

A further object of the present invention is to make the beverage preparation module compact and increase the stability of the beverage preparation module in a high humidity environment.

A further object of the invention is to facilitate the delivery of beverages.

A further object of the present invention is to keep different kinds of beverages from mixing flavors.

In particular, the present invention provides a refrigerator, the refrigerator is provided with a beverage preparation module, and the beverage preparation module includes:

The material storage part is used to place the raw materials for preparing beverages with different tastes;

Ice water department, used to provide ice water;

The sparkling water part is used to obtain ice water from the ice water part and prepare sparkling water based on the ice water;

The output part is connected with the ice water part and/or the sparkling water part, and is used for controlling the flow of the sparkling water or ice water through the storage part to output beverages with different tastes.

Optionally, the ice water department includes:

The water tank is used to store the ice water, and is located above the output part and the sparkling water part so as to output the ice water to the output part and the sparkling water part respectively under the gravity of the ice water in the water tank.

Optionally, the water tank is located directly above the output part and the sparkling water part, the sparkling water part and the output part are juxtaposed and located directly below the water tank, and the output space is formed below the output part.

Optionally, the storage part is located below the output part.

Optionally, the sparkling water section includes:

Carbon dioxide container, the carbon dioxide container is used to store carbon dioxide;

The mixing container obtains carbon dioxide and ice water from the carbon dioxide container and the ice water part respectively to prepare sparkling water, and provides sparkling water to the output part; wherein, a pressure relief valve is arranged on the top of the mixing container.

Optionally, the output part is provided with an input pipe, and one end of the input pipe protrudes into the bottom of the mixing container to supply sparkling water to the output part under the pressure in the mixing container.

Optionally, a pipe connected to the mixing container is provided at the bottom of the water tank, and a switch is provided in the pipe; a float is provided in the mixing container, and when the water level range of the mixing container is not within the predetermined water level range, the float controls the switch to open or close to ensure mixing The water level range of the container is within the predetermined water level range.

Optionally, the refrigerator also includes:

The double-layer door body, the beverage preparation module is arranged in the space defined by the inner door of the double-layer door body, and the output space is exposed after the outer door of the double-layer door body is opened.

Optionally, the output part is also provided with a selection switch, which is used to adjust the raw material through which the sparkling water or the ice water flows according to the user's operation.

The refrigerator of the present invention is provided with a beverage preparation module, and the beverage preparation module includes a storage part, an ice water part, a sparkling water part and an output part. The storage part is used to place the raw materials for preparing drinks with different tastes; the ice water part is used to provide ice water; the sparkling water part is used to obtain ice water from the ice water part and prepare sparkling water according to the ice water; / or the connection of the sparkling water part is used to control the flow of sparkling water or ice water through the storage part to output beverages with different tastes. Because the storage part of the beverage preparation module provides raw materials with different tastes according to the specific needs of users, and the ice water part and sparkling water part provide two types of water, and cooperate with the control of the output part, therefore, drinks with different tastes can be prepared in combination , to meet the needs of users for different types of drinks. The method for preparing beverages in the refrigerator provided by the solution is simple, and the user experience effect is better.

Furthermore, the water tank of the present invention is located directly above the output part and the sparkling water part, and the sparkling water part and the output part are located side by side directly below the water tank, and an output space is formed below the output part. This makes the structure of the beverage preparation module compact, reduces the volume, and saves space in the refrigerator.

Further, the water tank of the present invention is located above the output part and the bubble water part, so as to output the ice water to the output part and the bubble water part respectively under the gravity of the ice water in the water tank, and the ice water can be separated without external power. Output to output section and sparkling water section. This setting method does not need to set up power equipment, avoids easy damage of power equipment in high-humidity environment, and increases the stability of beverage preparation module in high-humidity environment.

Furthermore, the storage part is located below the output part, which is convenient for operation and is not easy to carry odors.

Those skilled in the art will be more aware of the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention according to the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings designate the same or similar parts or parts. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the attached picture:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the principle of a beverage preparation module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a beverage preparation module according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the output and storage of a beverage preparation module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the principle of a beverage preparation module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a beverage preparation module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention 4 is a schematic diagram of the output portion 140 and the storage portion 110 of the beverage preparation module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the refrigerator 10 provided by this embodiment is provided with a beverage preparation module 100 , and the beverage preparation module 100 includes a storage part 110 , an ice water part 130 , a sparkling water part 120 and an output part 140 . In this embodiment, the specific manner in which the beverage preparation module 100 is provided in the refrigerator 10 is not limited. For example, the beverage preparation module 100 may be accommodated in the cabinet of the refrigerator 10, or placed in a basket on the door of the refrigerator 10 of the refrigerator 10. Or be arranged on a specially reserved support on the door of the refrigerator 10 . The refrigerator 10 has a cooling function, and the drink preparation module 100 can be used to provide users with cold drinks of different tastes.

The storage part 110 is used to place the raw materials for preparing beverages with different tastes. The shape and type of the storage part 110 are not specifically limited. For example, it can be a push-pull drawer or a drawer with a flip cover; one or more passages can be arranged in the drawer, and the shape of the passage It can be funnel-shaped, trapezoidal, etc., and different raw materials are stored in different channels. The shape of the storage part 110 can be square, trapezoidal, or funnel-shaped. The taste of the raw material is not specifically limited, for example, it may be coffee, milk or concentrates of various vegetables and fruits. The placement form of the raw materials is also not specifically limited, for example, it can be prepared once and added once, or it can be prepared multiple times and added once. The form of the raw material is also not specifically limited, for example, it may be block, powder or capsule. Optionally, if the raw material is in the form of a capsule, the beverage preparation module 100 is equipped with a thimble to break through the capsule and help the capsule dissolve. The installation position and installation method of the thimble are not specifically limited. When preparing the drink, the thimble punctures the capsule when the flip is closed. For example, the thimble can be installed on the output tube of the output part 140 , and when the beverage is prepared, the output tube punctures the capsule under the action of pressing the switch, which is not specifically limited here. The storage part 110 is used to provide raw materials with different tastes according to the specific needs of users.

The ice water part 130 is used to provide ice water; the type of the ice water part 130 is not specifically limited, for example, the ice water part 130 may include a delivery pipe connected to a water pipe, and an ice cube storage, and output ice cubes and ice cubes according to a certain set ratio. water.

The sparkling water unit 120 is used to obtain ice water from the ice water unit 130 and prepare sparkling water from the ice water. The type of the sparkling water part 120 is not specifically limited, and the sparkling water production part is used for mixing carbon dioxide and ice water to prepare sparkling water.

The output unit 140 is connected to the iced water unit 130 and/or the sparkling water unit 120 for controlling the sparkling water or iced water to flow through the storage unit 110 to output beverages with different tastes. The specific type of the output part 140 is not limited, for example, the output part 140 can include two containers, and the two containers are respectively connected with the ice water part 130 and the sparkling water part 120 to store the ice water and the sparkling water respectively, and the bottoms of the two containers At least one output port is opened respectively, and a push-pull or push switch is respectively arranged at the at least one output port. At least one output port is connected to the storage part 110, or at least one output port is respectively connected to different channels in the storage part 110, and drinks with different tastes can be obtained by pressing the switch. For another example, the ice water part 130 and the sparkling water part 120 are respectively connected to the output part 140 through multi-channel pipes or a plurality of pipes, and the plurality of pipes are respectively connected to different passages or connected to one passage, and the output part 140 is provided with a switch. Different switches to prepare drinks with different tastes.

It can be seen that the storage part 110 of the beverage preparation module 100 provides raw materials with different tastes according to the specific needs of the user. Drinks with different tastes are prepared to meet the needs of users for different types of drinks. The refrigerator 10 provided by this solution has a simple way of preparing beverages, and the user experience effect is better.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the ice water unit 130 includes a water tank 131 . The water tank 131 is used to store ice water. The water tank 131 is located above the output unit 140 and the sparkling water unit 120 to output ice water to the output unit 140 and the bubble water unit 120 under the gravity of the ice water in the water tank 131 . The shape of the water tank 131 is not specifically limited, and water tanks 131 of different shapes can be designed according to specific needs. For example, in order to make reasonable use of space, water tanks 131 of different shapes can be designed according to the shape of the installation space. In this embodiment, the shape of the water tank 131 is a rectangle. The refrigerator 10 has a cooling effect, and the water stored in the water tank 131 can be directly cooled to form ice water without further processing, and the structure of the beverage preparation module 100 can be made compact. The water tank 131 is located above the output part 140 and the bubble water part 120, so as to output the ice water to the output part 140 and the bubble water part 120 under the gravity of the ice water in the water tank 131, and the ice water can be separated without external power. Output to the output unit 140 and the sparkling water unit 120 . This arrangement saves energy, simplifies the structure of the beverage preparation module 100, eliminates the need for electric power equipment, prevents the electric power equipment from being easily damaged in a high-humidity environment, and increases the stability of the beverage preparation module 100 in a high-humidity environment.

The water tank 131 is located directly above the output unit 140 and the bubble water unit 120, and the bubble water unit 120 and the output unit 140 are located directly below the water tank 131. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the bubble water unit 120 and the output unit 140 are respectively located Both sides of the water tank 131, that is, the bubble water part 120 is located on the left side of the water tank 131 in the figure, and the output part 140 is located on the right side of the water tank 131 in the figure (here, left and right are left and right in the figure, only for convenience of description, is not the orientation in the actual structure); the output space A is formed below the output unit 140 . This arrangement makes the structure of the beverage preparation module 100 compact, reduces its volume, and saves the space of the refrigerator 10 . At the same time, this arrangement makes the connection of the beverage preparation module 100 simple. For example, the bottom of the right side of the water tank 131 can be directly provided with different output holes, and the switch of the output part 140 is directly arranged at the output hole to control the output. The bottom of the left side of the water tank 131 can be directly provided with an output pipe to output ice water to the sparkling water unit 120 .

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the storage unit 110 is located below the output unit 140 . Easy to operate, not easy to smell. Optionally, the storage part 110 is detachably arranged on the output part 140, which is convenient for disassembly and cleaning.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the sparkling water unit 120 includes a carbon dioxide container 121 and a mixing container 122 , the types and shapes of the carbon dioxide container 121 and the mixing container 122 are not specifically limited, and may be based on the freezing space or the water tank 131 The shape of the concrete needs to be changed. The carbon dioxide container 121 is used for storing carbon dioxide, and the specific form of the carbon dioxide is not limited, and it can be a high-pressure gas. The mixing container 122 obtains carbon dioxide and ice water from the carbon dioxide container 121 and the ice water part 130 respectively to prepare sparkling water, and provides sparkling water to the output part 140; wherein, the top of the mixing container 122 is provided with a pressure relief valve 123 . The pressure relief valve 123 is used to ensure that the pressure in the mixing container 122 is within a set range and also ensure the safety of the system.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the output part 140 is provided with an input pipe 142, and one end of the input pipe 142 protrudes into the bottom of the mixing container 122 to flow to the output part under the pressure in the mixing container 122. 140 with sparkling water. The end of the inlet pipe 142 protrudes into the bottom of the mixing vessel 122 to ensure sufficient pressure to supply the sparkling water to the outlet 140 . This arrangement saves energy, simplifies the structure of the beverage preparation module 100, eliminates the need for electrical power equipment, prevents electrical power equipment from being easily damaged in a high-humidity environment, and increases the stability of the beverage preparation module 100 in a high-humidity environment.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2 , a pipe 132 communicating with the mixing container 122 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 131 , and a switch 133 is provided in the pipe 132 ; a float 124 is provided in the mixing container 122 . When the water level of the mixing container 122 is not within the predetermined water level range, the float 124 controls the switch 133 to open or close to ensure that the water level range of the mixing container 122 is within the predetermined water level range. The type of switch 133 is not specifically limited. For example, it can be a cover plate, which is hinged on the side wall of the pipeline 132 and covers the hollow of the pipeline 132. The place is removed, and the ice water is transported into the mixing container 122 under the action of gravity, so that the water level of the mixing container 122 is increased to within a predetermined water level range. When the water level reaches the upper limit of the set range, the float 124 floats up, exerting upward pressure on the cover plate, and the cover plate moves to a position where it can block the flow path of the pipeline 132, preventing the delivery of ice water, and stabilizing the water level of the mixing container 122 at a predetermined level. within the water level range. It can be seen that the water tank 131 is arranged above the mixing container 122, the pipeline 132 is provided with a switch 133, and the inside of the mixing container 122 is provided with a float 124. This mutually coordinated setting method can reduce the cost of external power equipment and electrical control equipment. Under normal circumstances, the water level in the mixing container 122 is automatically adjusted, energy is saved, the structure is simple, the electrical control equipment is prevented from being easily damaged in a high-humidity environment, and the stability of the beverage preparation module 100 is increased in a high-humidity environment.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the refrigerator 10 further includes a double-layer door, and the beverage preparation module 100 is arranged in the space defined by the inner door 210 of the double-layer door, and After the outer layer door 220 is opened, the output space A is revealed. The arrangement of the beverage preparation module 100 is convenient for the user to prepare beverages with different tastes.

In some embodiments, the output part 140 is further provided with a selection switch 141, and the selection switch 141 is used to adjust the raw material through which the sparkling water or the ice water flows according to the user's operation. The specific operation mode, type, shape, etc. of the selection switch 141 are not specifically limited, for example, the selection switch 141 can be pressed to open, pushed to open the selection switch 141 , or rotated to open the selection switch 141 . There is no specific limitation on the way the selector switch 141 adjusts the raw material through which the sparkling water or ice water flows. It can be selected according to the type of the output unit 140 and the connection mode between the output unit 140 and the sparkling water unit 120 and the ice water unit 130 . For example, the output part 140 may include two containers, the two containers are respectively connected with the ice water part 130 and the sparkling water part 120 to store the ice water and the sparkling water respectively, and at least one output port is respectively opened at the bottom of the two containers. At this time, the selector switch 141 can be opened by pressing, pushed and pulled to open the selector switch 141, or rotated to open the selector switch 141. For example, the switch is a baffle that is compatible with the output port, and the baffle can be arranged in the hole that the output port is adapted to. , press the block to make the hole overlap or stagger the output port to control the output.

So far, those skilled in the art should appreciate that, although a number of exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the disclosed embodiments of the present invention can still be used. Many other variations or modifications consistent with the principles of the invention are directly identified or derived from the content. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be understood and deemed to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

A refrigerator is provided with a beverage preparation module, and the beverage preparation module includes:

The material storage part is used to place the raw materials for preparing beverages with different tastes;

Ice water department, used to provide ice water;

a sparkling water section for obtaining ice water from the ice water section, and preparing sparkling water based on the ice water; and

The output part is connected with the ice water part and/or the sparkling water part, and is used for controlling the sparkling water or ice water to flow through the storage part to output drinks with different tastes.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein,

The ice water department includes:

The water tank is used for storing ice water, and is located above the output part and the bubble water part so as to output ice water to the output part and the bubble water part respectively under the gravity of the ice water in the water tank.
The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein,

The water tank is located directly above the output part and the sparkling water part, the sparkling water part and the output part are juxtaposed and directly below the water tank, and an output space is formed below the output part.
The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein,

The storage part is located below the output part.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein,

The bubble water part includes:

a carbon dioxide container for storing carbon dioxide; and

The mixing container obtains carbon dioxide and ice water from the carbon dioxide container and the ice water part to prepare sparkling water, and provides sparkling water to the output part; wherein, a pressure relief valve is set on the top of the mixing container.
The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein,

The output part is provided with an input pipe, one end of which extends into the bottom of the mixing container to supply sparkling water to the output part under the pressure in the mixing container.
The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein,

A pipeline communicating with the mixing container is arranged at the bottom of the water tank, and a switch is arranged in the pipeline; and

The mixing container is provided with a floater, and when the water level range of the mixing container is not within the predetermined water level range, the floater controls the opening or closing of the switch to ensure that the water level range of the mixing container is within the predetermined water level range within range.
The refrigerator according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising:

The double-layer door body, the beverage preparation module is arranged in the space defined by the inner door of the double-layer door body, and reveals the output space after the outer door of the double-layer door body is opened.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein,

The output part is also provided with a selector switch, which is used to adjust the raw material through which the sparkling water or ice water flows according to the user's operation.